Good Monday morning, my friends! I hope you had a wonderful weekend, especially with that extra hour of sleep! We took advantage of the beautiful weather Sunday to finish our fall clean-up and winter prep around outside. That translates to the young people putting away the rockers on the deck and front porch, sweeping the cobwebs and leaves from the porch, and cutting up the numerous cardboard boxes that have accumulated in our garage. I am mainly an online shopper, but I blame the stores for shipping a single roll of ribbon in a box filled with plastic bubble wrap for the mountain of cardboard.
I also finished putting Halloween and fall back into their boxes, in which they will remain until next August when I get the urge to pull them out again! My holiday decorating/undecorating process has changed over the years. Gone are the days I would carry the tubs up the steps myself, put on some music and decorate the entire house after giving it a good cleaning. Now, before I decorate for a new holiday, I slowly pick items up and carry them out to the dining room table, where over the course of a week, I accumulate all the decorations to pack up. I put them into tubs, and there they remain until one of my children carries them out and stores them on the shelves. Then I enjoy some bareness before taking a rag, wiping some noticeable dust, and taking a few days or so to set out the decorations for the next holiday. That is where I am now. The in-between. But I am so excited for Christmas to appear here in our cozy lake home!
The weather feels nothing like November here, let alone Christmas. Friday evening, I sat outside on the deck for a final time this year and watched the sun say goodnight. It was beautiful.
Such lovely views!
ReplyDeleteI think I like slow decorating better, I was starting to do that too, but I haven't been able to decorate properly since we moved country. We traveled back for Christmas, but I didn't feel like decorating airbnb's. I am looking forward to this Christmas, since we'll be in our own vacation cabin in the Netherlands and I will actually be able to do some decorating.
I do a similar thing at Christmas with the decorations. I slowly place things under the Christmas tree until I am ready to take it down about a week later. I am looking forward to seeing your Christmas house all cozied up!!
ReplyDeleteOur house is still all fall-like, we take that down at the same time as getting out the Christmas stuff. Last year, these girls of mine convinced me to decorate for Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving! I tried to dig in, but then decided that in the big scheme of things, who really cares? They're not going to live here forever, and if it makes them happy and they're so enthusiastic, let it go. And it was wonderful. I love love love your sunset pictures...just beautiful. I voted yesterday, it's a good thing to do, and I'm glad we get to. Plus, shh, NY state needs someone in office who actually cares about crime...:)
ReplyDelete(That comment was from me, not sure why I come up as anonymous...:)
ReplyDeleteLove the photos...ahhh, so beautiful, and little Mocha - what a sweetie; all ready to curl up and snuggle! I won't decorate until December 1...I try to give Thanksgiving it's due and remember to spend November being reminded of my blessings. And no perfectly-perfect look here...simple, old-fashioned, ornaments with little kids' handwriting, ones from vacation spots, and ones handed down...no department-store perfection! I put the family one up (live) and then a small skinny artificial one in our front window. A swag of greenery on the porch, music, food, candles, fires...that's the best Christmas decorating for me. Have a wonderful week! Mary
ReplyDeleteSuch a stunning sunset!
ReplyDeleteIt feels like summer here with a temperature of 80 degrees today. I'm so ready for big cold front to move through later in the week. Your sunset pictures are so beautiful! I'm ready to decorate for Christmas soon! We may put our tree up the weekend before Thanksgiving as we did last year. I love all the lights and feel that the season passes by so quickly, so I like to enjoy it as long as possible. I voted early last week and I was happy to do so. Praying our voices are heard in this election. Currently, our country is headed in a very dangerous direction. Have a good day, my friend.
ReplyDeleteIt cannot decide whether is wants to be winter or not here. But we have had so much rain and are over 2 inches ahead. Today is beautiful. I will keep Fall up until after Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteI just can’t get over how gorgeous the fall colors are where you live! Sounds like you’re getting in holiday gear! I hope I can get there myself in a couple of weeks. Hope you and Mocha have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteThat sunset was exceptional!
ReplyDeleteThose sunset pictures are stunning. The marvels of God.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday to you!
ReplyDeleteFall just gives off the most stunning sunsets, doesn't it? God is an amazing artist. 😊 I kind of love this in between. Really embracing it this year and being reflective, prayerful and just...GROWING. Lol Or at least I hope I am.
Have a blessed week ahead!! xoxo
Wow! Your photos are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI never get an extra hour of sleep because I always stay up an extra hour. I never learn!
The views from your deck are beautiful. Xx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! I miss that view! xx
ReplyDeleteThat sounds just like my decorating process these days. Things are bare right now, but only for a few days until I put all the delightful Christmas stuff out. Now, I have a dresser with my Christmas decor, so it will be much easier for me. Fall is still so lovely in your area, and it's a joy to see your photos of the skies. Your little dog looks so comfy sitting there on your red plaid throw. Red plaid....aahh, my favorite, so cozy and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy November week, Billie Jo.
~Sheri
Lovely sunset 🌇 photos you took and shared on your blog. I have some small pumpkins and gourds on a table in the living room.
ReplyDeleteMegan and I went down to Salem Convention center this evening that was, Republican gathering. It was fun to be there and talk with Tracy as she's to be a state representative. Good to see her again.
It's been a bit cold lately. Have a blessedly week. ~Becky
Oh how I wish I had an extra hour, my body is on the previous time and I'm wide awake at 4:30 am. yikes!! beautiful photos :)
ReplyDeleteThat is one gorgeous sky! I'm also enjoying all the little rituals that ease us from one season to the next.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Those photos are so beautiful!! Getting cold in Nebraska after record high of 77 yesterday -- that was crazy -- 20 tomorrow morning! Brrr -- Have a great day!
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